Public resources trailer bill.

The California Senate Budget Committee has put forward comprehensive legislation addressing environmental protection, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance across multiple state agencies. The bill authorizes construction of a Holocaust memorial at Exposition Park, expands funding for bay cleanup efforts, modifies underground storage tank regulations, and increases support for state park highway maintenance.

Under the legislation, the Natural Resources Agency may partner with qualified nonprofit organizations to establish a Holocaust memorial at Exposition Park, with the Department of General Services providing oversight of design and construction. The bill also broadens the permissible uses of the Bay Fill Clean-up and Abatement Fund to include enforcement activities and supporting technologies.

The measure updates underground storage tank regulations by redefining project criteria and adjusting loan and grant parameters. Small businesses can now receive loans between $10,000 and $750,000 for tank upgrades or removal, with terms up to 20 years when secured by real property. Grant amounts range from $3,000 to $70,000, with higher limits available for critical fueling stations in remote areas.

Additional provisions increase professional forester registration fees, mandate expanded permanent firefighting staff at CAL-FIRE, and raise the annual allocation for state park highway maintenance from $3.4 million to $12 million. The Department of Water Resources receives new authority to contract for habitat restoration projects using performance-based compensation tied to environmental outcomes.

The legislation modifies groundwater basin reporting requirements, now mandating updates to the Governor and Legislature only in years ending in five rather than both five and zero. As a budget trailer bill, the measure takes effect immediately upon passage and appropriation of funds.